PS Store gives rare refunds for Crimson Desert PS5 version, as patch addresses crashes

After waiting for the Crimson Desert release date, some fans regretted their purchases. Performance concerns are common, with blurry textures and frame rate drops reported. Still, it may be the dreaded map crash bug that has the PS Store issuing refunds. The latest Crimson Desert PS5 patch targets instability, much to the relief of PlayStation Support.

Normally, the PlayStation Store doesn’t provide refunds for PS4 or PS5 games with recorded playtime. However, it makes exceptions when titles are unplayable. Redditors have had varying success, but fortunate gamers convinced Sony that the Pearl Abyss project qualifies. Instead of the automated chatbot, players should choose to speak to a live agent.

When opening the map, the Crimson Desert PS5 version can freeze for up to 30 seconds. If unlucky, crashes will add to the frustration. Navigating the massive open world game is nearly impossible without guidance. Rough_Estimate_3698 explained this to PlayStation Support and saw his account credited for the purchase price.

Refunds for poor performance and controls?

Other issues encountered while exploring Pywel may not be considered refund-worthy. After Pearl Abyss hesitated to showcase base PS5 performance, some buyers experienced lackluster visuals. In Performance Mode, the blurry graphics fall far short of expectations. In the latest Crimson Desert patch, the developers introduced an option to disable the 120Hz refresh rate, boosting visual quality in some setups.

Another common gripe is controls that are challenging to master. A poorly designed layout does not always make a game unplayable, but it can slow progression. Also problematic is input lag, which was a focus of the March 23rd update.

Recently distributed, it’s unclear if the patch will stem the tide of PlayStation Store refund requests. Steam users have their own set of grievances, with the late reveal of Denuvo DRM protection and AI assets. Meanwhile, Intel GPU owners have to wait for any compatibility. Unlike Sony, Valve generally gives players 2 hours of gameplay before processing refunds.